S1: When we read our Bibles, can we be sure that
S1: we're really actually reading the truth? Stay with me. We'll
S1: talk about that in just a moment. Hello, friends. Welcome
S1: to Open Line, Moody Radio's Bible study across America. My
S1: name is Michael Radonich. I'm the academic dean and a
S1: professor of Jewish studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute.
S1: I'm so grateful that you're joining me around the radio
S1: kitchen table this morning. We're talking about your questions about
S1: the Bible, God and the spiritual life. If you have
S1: a question and you'd like to call, the phone number
S1: here is (877) 548-3675. Let me give that to you again.
S1: It's (877) 548-3675. Tricia McMillan is in the producer's chair. Omar
S1: Mendoza is our tech guy. Lisa jumped is here helping
S1: as well? Uh, again, the phone number (877) 548-3675. Go get
S1: yourself a cup of coffee. I've got mine right here.
S1: And open your Bible. We're going to study the scriptures together.
S1: Since the whole Bible is inspired, it's completely true or inerrant.
S1: And when I was with you last week, I discussed
S1: the inspiration of Scripture that God's Word is God breathed.
S1: An implication of that is a teaching called inerrancy, or
S1: that the Bible is without any error. This idea is
S1: understood from the scriptures themselves in the in the Torah,
S1: also known as the Pentateuch or the Five Books of Moses.
S1: Moses wrote, God is not a man who lies or
S1: a son of man who changes his mind. Does he
S1: speak and not act or promise and not fulfill? That's
S1: in numbers 2319. That's why the psalmist declared, the sum
S1: of your word is truth. Psalm 119 160. In the
S1: New Testament, the Lord Jesus, God incarnate, said of himself,
S1: I am the way, the truth, and the life. John
S1: 14 six. The the high priestly prayer that the Lord
S1: Jesus said, he calls himself the truth. He's the divine
S1: author of Scripture. And then he offers this high priestly prayer. Uh,
S1: since God is true and he breathed out the scriptures,
S1: he said in John 1717, Your Word is truth. Furthermore,
S1: the apostle Paul also affirmed God's truthfulness in Romans three four.
S1: He said, God must be true even if everyone is
S1: a liar. And in Titus one two he reiterated that
S1: God cannot lie. When you take all these verses together,
S1: these statements from Scripture leads us to the teaching that
S1: the Bible is without error, that it is inerrant. The
S1: point is that the Bible is as true as God Himself,
S1: and it's completely trustworthy. Now, to help us better understand
S1: the concept of inerrancy, here are some specific points to remember. First,
S1: the inerrancy of Scripture is limited to the original autographs.
S1: This means that the original scroll that Isaiah wrote, or
S1: the actual letter Paul wrote to the Romans, these are
S1: the documents that are inherent. It doesn't mean that every
S1: copy we have today will be a perfect replica of
S1: that original. The good news is that textual criticism, the
S1: study of comparing the surviving ancient manuscripts with one another
S1: is highly accurate. That's why we we can be confident
S1: that what we have today reflects more than 99% of
S1: the original documents. And for those parts that remain in question,
S1: none of them affect biblical doctrine or prescribed behavior. And
S1: that's why I can hold my Bible with unwavering certainty
S1: and say that it is inerrant. I know it's based
S1: on texts copied years after the original manuscripts, and then
S1: they were translated into English. But I can still affirm,
S1: I can still claim it's completely true. Secondly, inerrancy only
S1: refers to what the Bible affirms. Some statements in the
S1: scriptures are accurately recorded, but they are not actually what
S1: the Bible teaches. You say, what do you mean? Well,
S1: for example, when the serpent tempted Eve, he misquoted God.
S1: And he claimed that God prohibited Adam and Eve from
S1: eating from any tree. Genesis three one. Well, we know
S1: that's not true. The Bible records what the pie, what
S1: the serpent truly said. But the serpent's words remain untrue.
S1: Only what the Bible affirms is what we say is
S1: without error. Here's the third principle to remember. Inerrancy assumes
S1: that the Bible uses ordinary, normal language. Here's what I mean.
S1: The Bible mentions that there are four corners of the
S1: earth in Isaiah 1112, or it talks about the sunrise
S1: in Psalm 113 three. That doesn't mean that the Bible
S1: teaches the earth is a square or flat, or that
S1: God's Word denies a heliocentric view of the universe. The
S1: scriptures aren't using scientific precision. They're just talking the way
S1: people talk. Any more than a meteorologist on local news
S1: is talking with scientific precision. He doesn't do that when
S1: he tells us what the times are for sunrise and sundown.
S1: They're just talking like normal people, just like the Bible does. Well,
S1: when my kids were little, we loved playing this game
S1: with them called Jenga. We'd build a tower, adding wood
S1: piece upon piece until it would fall down. The last
S1: piece would make it fall down. But my younger boy
S1: was a little mischievous, and sometimes he would deliberately pull
S1: out the bottom piece in order to make the whole
S1: tower collapse. This reminds me of the inspiration of Scripture.
S1: It's foundational to every other teaching of the Bible. If
S1: we pull one teaching out that one about inspiration, then
S1: all the others will fall apart. It's why our affirmation
S1: of the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, of God's Word
S1: is so vital. If we take it away, it puts
S1: our entire faith in jeopardy. Well, that is, I think,
S1: one of the most important teachings of the Bible that
S1: we must affirm the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible.
S1: I hope that's something that you find helpful. And one
S1: of the questions that people have is, how do I
S1: know how I got the Bible all the way from
S1: divine inspiration to canonization to modern translations, all the copies,
S1: all that stuff. How did it come about? Well, if
S1: you've wondered about that, that's what our current resource is about.
S1: Doctor Carl Laney has written the book called The Story
S1: of the Bible, and it takes you on the journey
S1: through the scriptures development. From divine inspiration to transmission to
S1: modern translations, Doctor Laney reveals how God worked through human authors, scribes,
S1: translators to give us his written word. This book will
S1: deepen our confidence in the Bible's reliability. It will answer
S1: the questions you've always had about where our scriptures came from.
S1: And how do you get this? Well. We'd like to
S1: say thank you for a gift of any size. If
S1: you give a gift of any size, this is our
S1: current resource. We want to say thanks for giving and
S1: send you a copy of this. And, uh, it's the
S1: kind of gift that if you've never given to open line.
S1: I think if you've had any wonders about the Bible,
S1: I think this would be a great time to give
S1: a gift, because you're going to love this resource. Just
S1: go to our website. Or call (888) 644-7122. And uh, when
S1: you when you call and talk with them and give
S1: your gift. Make sure to ask for a copy of
S1: Carlini's The Story of the Bible. We're going to talk
S1: to Lois now. Listening in Georgia. Hello, Lois. How can
S1: I help you today? Is Lois with us? Oh, there
S1: you are.
S2: Lois. Yeah.
S1: Yeah. Hi, Lois. How can I help you?
S2: I've got another question for you.
S1: Okay.
S2: Okay. In Proverbs, wisdom is always referred to in the
S2: feminine pronoun. Except in chapter eight, starting at verse 12,
S2: it reverts to first person pronoun.
S1: Mhm.
S2: In first Corinthians, uh, wisdom is equated with Jesus. Jesus
S2: is wisdom.
S1: Mhm. Okay.
S3: Okay. So you I.
S1: Think I understand what you're asking. Why is wisdom presented
S1: as female in the book of Proverbs in chapter eight?
S1: If Jesus is the, uh. Epitome, the incarnation of wisdom.
S1: Is that. Is that what you're asking?
S2: Yes.
S1: Yes.
S2: Yes.
S1: Okay. Well, first of all, there's some dispute as to
S1: whether wisdom is just being spoken of intrinsically as wisdom. Uh,
S1: which existed as long as God existed. Uh, I happen
S1: to believe that in Proverbs eight. This is a messianic passage.
S1: It's talking about wisdom. Uh, and and the Messiah embodies
S1: that wisdom.
S2: I agree with that.
S3: Yeah.
S1: And, uh, the second thing about this, I would say,
S1: is that Uh, wisdom is just being presented in a
S1: figurative way, uh, and not necessarily a literal way. What
S1: I mean by that is, in Genesis 49 and revelation five,
S1: the Lord Jesus is presented as the lion of the
S1: tribe of Judah. I don't think he's a lion.
S2: No.
S1: Okay. Uh, and, uh, there are other places, uh, where
S1: the Lord Jesus is described as the chief cornerstone. I
S1: don't think he's made of stone. Uh, my my point
S1: is that there are many figures I believe in Proverbs eight.
S1: The figure here is that of Lady Wisdom embodied, which
S1: who would ultimately be embodied by the Messiah. And it's
S1: to contrast her with, uh, lady wisdom, with, uh, the
S1: adulterous woman that's found in Proverbs seven. So, uh, Wisdom,
S1: which is God's wisdom. Uh, the embodiment of wisdom is
S1: the Messiah. But, uh, that's why it says a lot
S1: of versions say the Lord made me. Verse 22 about wisdom,
S1: but that that would be better, I think translated begot
S1: me or possessed me at the beginning of his creation.
S1: And so I think that would affirm that this is
S1: an eternal. If wisdom is eternal, then it must be deity.
S1: And because only deity is eternal, and therefore the Lord Jesus,
S1: I think, embodies it, just as Colossians tells us. But
S1: it's being he's being presented here as Lady Wisdom, uh,
S1: not because of any kind of expectation that he would
S1: be female, but rather just like he's not expected to
S1: be a lion. These are figures of speech. Uh, and
S1: just as he's not expected to be a cornerstone, uh,
S1: those are figures that teach us things. So that's what
S1: I would say about that. Uh, and, uh, I hope
S1: that helps, Lois. Uh, that's, uh, that's the best I
S1: can help you with. There's a really good article, by
S1: the way, about Proverbs eight in the Moody Handbook of
S1: Messianic Prophecy, a book I had the privilege of editing.
S1: It was written by Seth Postel. A really great article
S1: about that. Uh, we're going to come right back with
S1: more of your questions in just a moment. You're listening
S1: to Open Line with Michael Zelnick. We'll be right back.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. I'm so glad to be
S1: with you this Saturday morning as we're talking about the scriptures,
S1: this is our Bible study across America. My name is
S1: Michael Melnick, and I'm so grateful for the privilege of
S1: studying the word with you every Saturday morning we're going
S1: to go right to the phones. But before we do
S1: anything else, I just wanted to say how much I
S1: appreciate those of you who listen regularly. You're really part
S1: of the family. Whenever I get to meet listeners in person,
S1: it's just such a privilege and such an encouragement to
S1: meet people who listen regularly. They say, you're my Saturday
S1: morning Bible study, and I'm grateful for that. I'm also
S1: grateful for people that say they believe in the program
S1: so much that they will give an occasional gift and
S1: get our current resource, which is the story of the Bible.
S1: And then there are some of you who I get
S1: to meet, about 800 plus of you who have become
S1: kitchen table partners, people who give monthly. So Open Line
S1: can be on the air weekly. We so appreciate that.
S1: It means so much. Uh, I guess I was just
S1: wondering if there's some people who give occasionally who would say,
S1: you know what, I believe in this program so much,
S1: and it's helped enough people that I'd like to give
S1: monthly and become a kitchen table partner. I'm hoping you'll
S1: consider doing that. Uh, we really appreciate your generosity so
S1: much in every way. I appreciate you just listening, but, uh,
S1: giving is way, way beyond. And we so appreciate that.
S1: If you'd like to become a kitchen table partner, one
S1: of the things that I like to do is I
S1: send a Bible study moment out every other week. Tricia
S1: McMillan and I produce it. Uh, and we send that
S1: Bible study moment out. It's a brief Bible study you
S1: get in your email. It's a it's designed exclusively for
S1: our kitchen table partners. And, uh, another great benefit of
S1: being a kitchen table partner is if you commit to
S1: $30 a month or more, the result is that you
S1: can go to the Moody Publishers catalog and get everything
S1: in that catalog for 50% off. So I hope you'll
S1: consider that if you'd like to become a kitchen table partner,
S1: go to our website, openlibrary.org and you can become a
S1: kitchen table partner there. Or you can call. 888447122. Thanks
S1: a lot for doing that. Really appreciate it. We're going
S1: to talk to Carol in Vermont. Uh, listening on some
S1: station there. I don't know which one it is, but
S1: I'm glad you're listening. Thanks for listening. How can I
S1: help you today, Carol?
S2: Um, yes.
S4: Thank you, doctor, for taking my call. I am a
S4: church secretary, and I had someone text into the church
S4: with a list of Bible verses that are potentially contradictory.
S4: And so I have one specifically that I wanted to
S4: ask you about. And I was wondering also if you
S4: could recommend a good resource resource for researching passages that
S4: sound contradictory? Um, so the verses are Exodus 3311 and
S4: John 118.
S5: Team. Mhm.
S1: Okay. Uh, Exodus 3311 says the Lord spoke with Moses.
S1: It says face to face, literally. It actually says mouth
S1: to mouth. That's that's what I'm going to pull up the,
S1: the Hebrew right now just to confirm that my memory
S1: is correct. But, uh, I think it's mouth to mouth
S1: is what it says. And, uh.
S5: Okay.
S1: I'm pulling up the Hebrew here. Uh. And, uh, here's
S1: what it says. Uh, that's important, I think. Uh, yeah. No,
S1: it says face to face. Uh. But that's actually a
S1: figure of speech for which is also, there's another one,
S1: mouth to mouth. Uh, that's used for the same idea
S1: of speaking directly, uh, without intermediaries. The way I'd compare
S1: it is it's described this way in numbers, chapter 12,
S1: verses six through eight. Now in numbers 12. This is
S1: when Aaron and Miriam got all huffy and they said, well,
S1: we're prophets too, right? What's the big deal about Moses?
S1: Why don't people make a big deal about us? And
S1: the Lord called him out and he says, listen, this
S1: is what the Lord says to them. Listen to what
S1: I say. If there's a prophet among you from the Lord,
S1: I might. I make myself known to him in a vision.
S1: I speak with him in a dream. Not so with
S1: my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house.
S1: I speak with him directly. And this is where it
S1: says mouth to mouth, openly and not in riddles. That's
S1: where it's, uh, mouth to mouth. So what does it mean?
S1: That God speaks to Moses? face to face or mouth
S1: to mouth. It means that he speaks directly with Moses,
S1: that there's no vision, there's no dream, there's no intermediary.
S1: It's not that God sees us. Moses sees God's face.
S1: He doesn't. And the reason I say that is just
S1: the very point of of John one. Where it says
S1: in verse 18, uh, this is the question no one
S1: has ever seen God. Well, Moses hasn't seen God. And
S1: there are other places as well, uh, where Moses, uh,
S1: for example, uh, it says in Exodus 3320, the very
S1: same passage, Exodus 3311, you mentioned, uh, in Exodus 3320,
S1: that very same passage that Moses wrote. It says, no
S1: one can see me and live. That's what God says, right?
S1: So would Moses contradict himself in the very same passage?
S1: I don't think so. And then in Exodus 24, verses
S1: ten and 11, it's when Moses and the elders see God, right? Uh,
S1: it says that in Exodus 2410 and 11. I'll, I'll
S1: pull that same book. You know, just so you know,
S1: I'm I'm not I'm not trying to hide things from you, but, uh,
S1: it says, uh, Moses went up. This is verse nine
S1: with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 70 of Israel's elders,
S1: and they saw the God of Israel. Huh? Beneath his
S1: feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire stone
S1: and clear, as clear as the sky itself. God did
S1: not harm the Israelite nobles. They saw him, and they
S1: ate and drank. And people say what? Well, clearly it
S1: was something like a vision, because it describes the pavement
S1: being like sapphire stone and and as clear as the
S1: sky itself. But then, if you take the word that's
S1: used twice, saw, it's the, the Hebrew word hasa. And
S1: that means to see in a vision. It's used that
S1: way clearly in numbers 24, verses four and 24. 16
S1: it means to see in a vision. And so I
S1: think all it means is that Moses went up the
S1: mountain and they saw a vision of God. They didn't
S1: literally look at God. They saw God in a vision.
S1: So now someone who sent you this, this is what
S1: I'm more interested in. Carol. Why did they send you that?
S1: Were they troubled or were they trying to trouble you?
S4: Um, I think they're searching, and I want to give
S4: them good answers. But I have a feeling they did
S4: a Google search because they had a lot of these.
S5: Yeah.
S1: You know, what it is, is there's a lot of, uh,
S1: websites that are kind of atheistic and they try to
S1: point out alleged Contradictions in the Bible. There are bunches
S1: of books written about alleged contradictions, like this one that
S1: we just talked about, I wrote about in the 50
S1: Most Important Bible Questions.
S5: Okay.
S1: But there's a really good book, I think probably the
S1: place to start if you're going to get one book
S1: that deals with it. Doctor Gleason Archer. Who was a
S1: professor for many years at Trinity. Uh, one of the
S1: great privileges I ever had was once teaching a Sunday
S1: School class. And Doctor Archer in retirement, was in the class.
S1: And I'm like, oh, I probably shouldn't.
S5: Oh, wow.
S1: I remember standing, uh, up in front of the people
S1: and say, is it true that Doctor Gleason Archer is
S1: in this class? And he raised his hand and said,
S1: Doctor Archer, would you please leave? I feel terribly intimidated,
S1: but he didn't. He was he was a lovely man.
S1: But anyway, he wrote a book called The Encyclopedia of
S1: Bible Difficulties.
S5: Okay, That sounds excellent.
S1: And it's a it's a big fat book and it
S1: deals with, I think, every alleged contradiction that you'll ever
S1: find and shows how they can be harmonized and helped.
S1: So that's the one I would recommend. The encyclopedia, it's
S1: been revised now and it's the Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties.
S1: I find it very helpful. Okay.
S4: Thank you so much. I really appreciate.
S5: That. Yeah.
S1: Thanks so much for calling, Carol. And you know what?
S1: I pray that you'll have good answers for this person. Uh,
S1: so as they're seeking, they'll find the Lord. Okay.
S4: Agreed.
S5: Thank you. Yeah.
S1: Uh, we're going to talk to Galen in Ohio, listening
S1: on CRF. Welcome to Open Line. Galen. How can I
S1: help you?
S6: Yes. Um, I want to know about 170 weeks of Daniel.
S6: What happened? The first 49 years, that'd be seven weeks.
S6: I counted up to 62 weeks. Was 434 years. I
S6: knew there was 400 years of silence.
S1: And okay, you know, we don't want to confuse everybody.
S1: Let me just try and answer about those seven weeks, okay?
S1: For I've got a couple of things to say about that, Galen.
S1: First of all, uh, I'll be speaking on, believe it
S1: or not, the 70 weeks of Daniel Palm Sunday in
S1: prophecy tomorrow, uh, at the Discovery Church in Orlando, Florida.
S1: So if anyone's in the area of Orlando, uh, three
S1: services tomorrow morning. Uh, it's it's a wonderful church, um,
S1: a number of campuses. So you could check that out online. Uh,
S1: tomorrow morning, uh, Discovery Church, Palm Sunday and Prophecy. I'll
S1: be speaking down there second, uh, in Daniel nine, it
S1: talks about seven weeks plus 62 weeks. And the question
S1: is obviously weeks. There refers to seven years. And it
S1: says from the issuing of a decree to restore and
S1: rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah. There's seven weeks and 62 weeks,
S1: and that comes to 49. The first part of it,
S1: it's a total of 69 weeks, 483. Years. The the
S1: word week referring to seven years here in this context. Well,
S1: why does he break it up? It's because the the
S1: command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem is where the starting
S1: point is. And for that issuing of the decree until
S1: the completion of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, it took 49
S1: biblical years. And so that's why he breaks it up
S1: seven weeks plus 62 weeks, making a total of 69
S1: weeks or 483 biblical years. That's why it does it
S1: that way. Some people get a little confused because it
S1: says after the the the seven weeks and the 62
S1: weeks after the 62 weeks. But that's because it covers
S1: already the seven weeks now, the 62 weeks makes it
S1: 483 weeks in total. I hope that explained it for
S1: you a little bit. Galen, thanks a lot for your call.
S1: We're going to be right back with the mailbag. Trish
S1: is coming in with the Febc mailbag in just a moment,
S1: so stay with us. This is open line with Michael Riedel. Nick.
S1: Welcome back to Open Line. My name is Michael Riedel. Nick,
S1: joining me right now for the Febc mailbag is Tricia McMillan.
S1: Far Eastern Broadcasting Company partners with Open Line to bring
S1: this program to you every week. And they, uh, partner
S1: with us to bring you the mailbag. And we're so
S1: appreciative of this ministry that brings the gospel to people
S1: all across the world, through media and also through personal touch.
S1: I find that just so terrific. If you'd like to
S1: know more about how they are reaching the world through
S1: media and individuals ministering to people face to face, just
S1: go to their website. There's a link there to their podcast.
S1: It's called Until All Have Heard. I think you'll really
S1: enjoy listening to that. Um, Trish is joining me right now. Hey, Tricia.
S1: There's something I wanted to ask you about.
S5: Yeah.
S1: So we have, uh, this great conference every year for
S1: women right here on our campus. It's this year. It's
S1: April 12th, which is the first. That night is Passover.
S1: So I guess they're getting ready for Passover. They're going
S1: to gather. No.
S7: I'm sure that's. I'm sure that's how they how they
S7: planned it. Yeah.
S1: But, uh, it's called ready called because women are called
S1: of God to serve him, and I think it is
S1: an outstanding program. We've got some great speakers this year. Uh,
S1: Sandra Glenn, who is a professor at my alma mater,
S1: Dallas Seminary, and also Elizabeth Woodson, who is actually she
S1: also went to to DTS. It's a DTS conference, apparently.
S7: It does sound like it.
S1: Yeah, it doesn't it, but it's a moody conference. Yes.
S1: And we've got there's great workshops. Have you ever done, uh,
S1: one of these conferences?
S7: I have not, because they're on Saturdays and I'm usually
S7: at open line for those. However, my sister has done
S7: the last several, and she has really enjoyed them. Um, they,
S7: they the breakout sessions and the discussions. And last year
S7: she was telling me that there were these breakout groups. Um,
S7: there were these groups that they that you could voluntarily
S7: be a part of that were, um, that kind of
S7: went throughout the year and they would kind of check
S7: in periodically with each other. Um, and so it was
S7: a it went beyond just this one day conference. And
S7: I think, are you able to attend it online as
S7: well as in person?
S1: I think so. Yeah, it's online and in person options.
S1: It's a really terrific, uh, program. I think, you know,
S1: if I were a woman, I wouldn't want to miss this. Yeah,
S1: I think that I try to sneak in sometimes Saturdays afterwards,
S1: but they won't let me in the back. I'm sorry.
S1: I tried a wig one year. They. They saw. Right? No,
S1: I didn't really know.
S7: There's great Bible teachers. It's a great time to connect
S7: with other women, worship with other women who are ministering
S7: in their churches, in their homes, um, in their communities,
S7: and be able to connect with other women who are
S7: like minded and also want to grow in their knowledge
S7: of Christ.
S1: Yeah. And their their service. Yeah. And their ability to
S1: serve him. Well, I think it's a great program. And
S1: if you want to know more about it, uh, whether
S1: you want to join us here on the campus in Chicago,
S1: which I think is always better, uh, or online, just
S1: go to Moody conferences. Dot com. Moody conferences.com. And there'll
S1: be a link there for the called conference and it's
S1: led by Doctor Pam McRae, who's uh, she and her
S1: husband Bob are dear friends of mine and.
S7: Professors at Moody.
S1: They're professors of Moody. We've taught here just about the
S1: same amount of time. Uh, she's an outstanding teacher. She's
S1: going to be one of the plenary speakers as well.
S1: So don't miss.
S7: It. And I will add a link to our website.
S7: It's not there yet and I'm on the air, so
S7: I can't do it right this second. But I will
S7: add a link to our website as well if you
S7: can't remember the website.
S1: Great Moody conferences.com. Okay, uh, we've got the mailbag here.
S7: All right. We do have the mailbag. And our first
S7: question is from Deborah in Ohio, listens to CRF. Are
S7: the two loaves of leavened bread used in the wave
S7: offering in the Feast of Weeks in Leviticus, foreshadowing of
S7: or representative of the Jews and Gentiles both being part
S7: of the church later. I've read differing views on this.
S1: Yeah, there's a lot of people who want to say that, uh,
S1: you know, the two made into one? Uh, honestly, you
S1: wouldn't read that in the book of Leviticus. In Leviticus 23.
S1: And see that. And the reason is in Ephesians three
S1: where it talks about, uh, the, the church.
S7: Mhm.
S1: Uh, this is what this is something I think that's
S1: important to remember that the Old Testament does indeed talk
S1: about Gentiles getting saved. There's no question about it. But
S1: when it talks about the mystery of the Messiah, the
S1: mystery of the church, that Jew and Gentile are co-heirs,
S1: members of the same body, partners as verse six says,
S1: verse five says this. This was not made known to
S1: people in other generations, as it is now revealed by
S1: his holy apostles and prophets. So I don't think there
S1: were even types, pictures, patterns of what the church would
S1: be in the Old Testament. Uh, that that was a
S1: new a secret that was revealed and given to us
S1: through the apostles. And so I don't think it really
S1: points to that, although it's a nice illustration, so to speak.
S7: It is. It is a nice picture. Um, and I
S7: think so as a Gentile, so much emphasis. Emphasis seems
S7: to be put on unleavened bread that I don't think
S7: of there being leavened bread. Yeah, very often, because anytime
S7: it's mentioned it's like unleavened bread. But there would have been.
S1: There's two loaves.
S7: Leavened bread.
S5: Yeah.
S1: That's what makes unleavened bread. Unleavened bread is you know,
S1: it's mentioned because of the speed that they had to
S1: leave Egypt. They wouldn't have time to let the bread rise.
S1: They just needed to cook it. And so that's why
S1: unleavened cakes were used.
S7: That was not the normal.
S1: Know people ate regular bread. Yeah.
S7: Okay. They would normally live in bread. Okay. Yeah. All right. Um,
S7: Jeff in Washington listens to KMP. Book of numbers. Gives
S7: a lot of detail on sacrificing animals in numbers 29,
S7: the Festival of Booths lays out various offerings to the Lord.
S7: And there seems. And he added up how many? So
S7: there's a lot of animal sacrificed. Were these animals burned? Um,
S7: burned to ash? Or were they shared among the Levites?
S7: Among the people? Like what? What happened to the meat
S7: itself when it was after it was sacrificed? I think
S7: my my thought is always when we talk about this
S7: with Jephthah's daughter, it's like not to bring up that,
S7: but but I hear sacrifice, I think almost like burned
S7: and decimated, like there's nothing left. However, I don't know
S7: if that's the case, and that's just my assumption because
S7: that happens in one particular case.
S1: Well, that's because the whole burnt offering.
S7: Yeah.
S1: But they're not all whole burnt offerings.
S5: Okay.
S1: Um. And so now I didn't add them up recently,
S1: but when I added them up, they were 70. Uh,
S1: and the rabbis have always recognized 70 bowls. Yeah. 70 sacrifices. Yeah.
S5: Okay.
S1: And, uh, the idea was that the 70 sacrifices, because
S1: they go on and on, like on on the first day,
S1: 13 young bulls, two rams, 14 lambs a year old
S1: and so forth. Uh, and then on the second day,
S1: 12 young bulls and so forth. I really need to
S1: recount them.
S7: But but it's a lot of animals.
S1: But it's not just a lot. But the rabbis say
S1: they they're linked to the 70 nations of the earth
S1: that are mentioned in Genesis and that there's 70 sacrifices.
S1: And at this point to the Feast of Booths being
S1: the day when the whole world, all the nations, will
S1: know the Lord. And that's what happens in Zechariah 14
S1: when you have, uh, the messianic kingdom, when Jesus is reigning.
S1: And it says that the one holiday that all the
S1: nations will have to celebrate is the Feast of Booths,
S1: because they'll all have to come to Israel to celebrate
S1: the Feast of Booths. I think that's that's kind of interesting,
S1: don't you think? But, uh, as for I think that
S1: these sacrifices would have been, uh, eaten by the Offerers
S1: and the priests.
S5: Okay.
S7: Yeah, but that is not true of the burnt offering.
S5: The whole burnt.
S1: Offering and Leviticus. Uh. That's different. That's that was a
S1: complete offering.
S7: Okay, but for the ones that were just sacrificed, the
S7: meat didn't go to waste.
S5: No, it was the.
S7: Let me rephrase. An offering to the Lord does not
S7: go to waste. No, but.
S1: But there. There was a meal offering.
S7: There was a meal. Okay. Yeah. Okay.
S1: That's it.
S7: And then they would have the bones.
S1: I think they would take the unclean parts out to the.
S1: There was a place outside the camp where the unclean
S1: parts that could not be eaten, the intestines, things like
S1: that would be burned up.
S7: Okay. And then you would have the bones left over.
S7: Just make a pile of bones.
S1: Uh, yeah. I guess, you know, I'm. I wasn't there.
S7: But.
S1: That's what I'm guessing.
S7: But they have found at some archaeological digs, they have
S7: found piles of bones.
S1: Right. When you when you go to the site of
S1: the tabernacle in Shiloh or Shiloh, as you would say. Mhm. Um,
S1: they've actually found sacrificial bones and it was, that's where the,
S1: the Tabernacle stood for about 400 years. And they actually
S1: have located the spot. That's the exact dimensions of where
S1: the tabernacle would have stood. Wow.
S7: So that's amazing.
S1: Yeah. Okay, let's do another question.
S7: All right. Um, next question is from Douglas.
S1: No. Let's do.
S7: Chris.
S1: Let's do.
S7: Chris. Chris.
S1: Okay, because I can answer it fast.
S7: Okay. Chris in Michigan listens to Wgme. My father, who
S7: does claim to be a believer, is sick from cancer
S7: and is dying. But he's also fascinated with UFO shows
S7: and aliens and their existence and spends much of his
S7: time watching these shows. It concerns me because I feel
S7: like it's a stumbling block. What would you say to
S7: someone so consumed with this? I don't want him believing
S7: something that's incorrect.
S1: Well, it's not an essential doctrine to believe in UFOs
S1: or not. You know, maybe God created other worlds. People
S1: think I don't, but, uh, you know, C.S. Lewis wrote
S1: science fiction trilogy, and, uh, there were people on, uh,
S1: Venus that were like Adam and Eve on that.
S7: In his stories.
S1: In his story. Yeah. So, you know, I think if
S1: you're dying of cancer, your dad's dying of cancer. And
S1: this is something that he enjoys, you know, don't worry,
S1: as long as he knows the Lord and believes that
S1: Jesus died for his sins and rose again and is
S1: trusting in him. I would say, don't be perturbed about this.
S1: That's what I would, I would, I would just let
S1: it go.
S7: If you if you are um, if you are not.
S1: Dying of.
S7: Cancer, you're not. Yeah. Like, if you're just going about
S7: your business and this becomes, I guess, at what point,
S7: you know, does it become that becomes all consuming?
S1: Well, I would.
S7: Say know that you're you're focusing everything on that and
S7: it almost becomes an idol, as it were.
S1: I would say that the best thing to do is
S1: to focus on the scriptures and and what the what
S1: the Bible tells us is plain. And so that that's
S1: just a good thing. We shouldn't become obsessed with anything
S1: that takes us away from that. Okay. But, uh, you know,
S1: I wouldn't worry about his dad if I were you.
S7: All right. Thank you.
S1: Thanks for bringing those in. We're going to be right
S1: back with more of your calls right here on Open Line.
S1: That was Tricia McMillan. I'm Michael Ray Melnick. Stay with us.
S1: And we're back. My name is Michael Ray Melnick. So
S1: glad to be with you this Saturday morning talking about
S1: the scriptures. Your questions. Really appreciate it. If you can't call,
S1: you know, what you could always do is you can
S1: go to our website, openline radio. Org and you can
S1: post a question there where it says Ask Michael a question.
S1: There are other things you can see there as well.
S1: One of the things you can do is you can
S1: scroll down to the scroll on that page, and you'll
S1: see a link that says, uh, there's a link to
S1: my personal web page. I think that's kind of cool
S1: that you can go there. One of the things you'll
S1: see if you go to my personal web page is
S1: that we're going to be doing a cruise in the
S1: Caribbean in December of next year of 2020 5th December.
S1: Getting out of the cold weather, going to the warm
S1: weather and studying the Bible together. Morning and evening. Worshiping
S1: together morning and evening. I think you'll like it. So
S1: check that out when you go to, uh, to my
S1: personal web page, uh, which is linked there at Openline radio.org. Also, uh,
S1: this is important. Many people ask me if Jewish people
S1: still need to hear the good news of Jesus, even
S1: though they are God's chosen people. Well, of course, all people,
S1: Jew or Gentile, need to put their trust in Jesus.
S1: And Doctor Al Mohler has written a booklet that says, yes,
S1: Jewish people need to hear the gospel. Chosen People Ministries
S1: is offering this book. It's called To the Jew First
S1: in the 21st century. And in it, Doctor Al Mohler,
S1: who's the president of Southern Baptist Seminary. He argues that
S1: bringing the gospel to the Jewish people is the best
S1: example of our faithfulness to the truth. If you'd like
S1: a free copy of this really helpful book, go to openlibrary.org. Again,
S1: that's our website, Openline radio.org. Scroll down and you'll see
S1: a link that says A Free gift from Chosen People Ministries,
S1: and you'll be able to get your copy of To
S1: the Jew First in the 21st century. Okay, we're going
S1: to go to the phones and talk to Dan, uh,
S1: in Tampa, Florida, listening on keys. Welcome to Open Line, Dan.
S1: How can I help you?
S8: Yes. Uh uh uh, doctor, I, uh, have been studying
S8: Romans nine for a while now, and as I study it,
S8: I couldn't really grasp everything that's there. Of course. What
S8: can you completely grasp of God? Uh, nothing. Anyway, I
S8: got the concordance out and, uh, started reading Romans nine,
S8: verse by verse with the concordance, and and what I,
S8: I finally discovered is this is this word, uh, the
S8: chosen based on noble and ignoble vessels. Um, as as
S8: it's described, the chosen, they go all the way back
S8: to before time began. So as I as I looked
S8: at this and studied it through the concordance, I actually found.
S1: Well, you know what? I don't know what you're talking
S1: about when you say you studied it with the concordance.
S1: What do you mean by that?
S8: Well, um, the concordance, if if you go to Romans
S8: chapter nine, in the concordance.
S1: Uh, I know, I know what a concordance is. What
S1: are you doing? Are you looking up all the usages
S1: of every word? Is that what you're doing?
S8: Well, no, I probably have it wrong, then. It's not
S8: the concordance. It's, um. Um. I can't think of the word.
S1: Commentary.
S8: But. Yeah. Commentary. I'm sorry. And so, uh, the commentary
S8: actually sends you all over the Bible on every verse.
S8: You can just go through it. Okay.
S1: Okay. You know what? I think the best thing to
S1: do is, instead of telling me about your study, can
S1: you tell me what your question is? Is that okay?
S8: Yes. Yes, sir. Uh, my question is this based on, uh,
S8: the chosen being done at the foundation of time with
S8: God where he actually says that he knew.
S1: Okay. And your question is.
S8: Yeah. And my question is this. Uh, that being the truth, um,
S8: Christ died for the sins of the world. But the
S8: problem that it's not a problem, but the thing that
S8: I'm seeing here is, even though he died for all
S8: the sins of the world, he actually didn't really die
S8: for every person because there is a chosen people that
S8: he died actually for. And as I find out in
S8: the commentary, even the chosen, it says, cannot come to
S8: Christ unless they hear the gospel first. And so so
S8: I'm I'm not in.
S1: Okay. I think I think I think what you're asking is, um,
S1: that did Christ only die for the elect? And, uh, that.
S1: Does everyone get to hear the gospel?
S9: No.
S8: Uh uh, no. no, not that specifically. Uh, but but
S8: the real absolute root question that I'm asking here is,
S8: is everyone born from from Adam and Eve till the
S8: end of time? Are all those people going to be
S8: able to be saved based on, uh, noble vessels and
S8: the chosen of God from the foundation?
S1: So are you asking if there's universalism that all are saved?
S8: No.
S9: Okay.
S1: You know what? Let me just do my best to
S1: explain what I understand about election. Okay. Uh, I think
S1: it's really important. Uh, now, now, Dan, the Bible says
S1: that we are chosen before the foundation of the world.
S1: We're predestined to be trophies of his grace. That's all
S1: from Ephesians one. It says this similar things in Romans nine. Uh,
S1: I really believe that. And yet, one of the things
S1: that I see in Scripture in, uh, in, uh, Romans
S1: chapter one, is that no one who doesn't believe is
S1: without excuse. Um, and what what that means is in,
S1: in Romans 120, it says for his invisible attributes, that is,
S1: his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen
S1: since the creation of the world, being understood through what
S1: he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
S1: Romans 119 and 20 or 120 as I guess, good,
S1: good enough 120. Here's my point that the the the
S1: Word of God has gone out. The revelation have gone
S1: out either through general revelation, which, if people respond to God,
S1: will give them more special, direct revelation in the sense
S1: of a person coming and proclaiming the gospel or, uh,
S1: they will, uh, hear the gospel from others or from
S1: other media. That's that's what I would say happens. But no,
S1: everyone doesn't, uh, hear the gospel exactly the same way,
S1: but there's a general call for salvation. Well, thanks for listening, everyone.
S1: That's the first hour. Keep listening. There's a second hour
S1: coming up on most of these stations during the break.
S1: Check out our web page, open Line radio.org has all
S1: the links you're looking for, including how to become a
S1: kitchen table partner or get our current resource. The Bible
S1: study across America will continue in just a moment, so
S1: stay with us. Open line with Doctor Michael Melnick is
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S1: We'll be right back.